This blog is more than just a journal of my crazy, meaningless and confused existence in San Francisco, as a writer, a comedian and just a lover of all things even remotely pleasurable. No, it is much, much more than that, my little friends. In this blog, I will tell you most of my thoughts, some of my concerns, and several of my issues and dreams -- and anyone who is even slightly interested will hopefully be intrigued enough to read this -- this -- thing I call LIFE ON THE EDGE.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

(Suggested photo caption: "Is that 'Lil Cubby I hear groanin'? I thought I killed that bear!")

What IS WRONG with people? Is this guy the biggest wimp you’ve ever heard of or what? Killing a tame bear in a pen? Why would anyone want to do something so cruel? I’m totally against hunting and always have been, even although I love to fish. I think people who stalk and kill defenseless animals are gutless and stupid. But, at least when they go out into the wild and track down a wild animal, there’s a little bit of sport involved. But, to kill a tame bear in a pen is so inhumane and just generally unfair it sickens me. I’m not a big country music fan, so I have never heard this clown’s music. If I was a real rabble rouser, I’d probably go down to Tower Records and tell people to boycott his CD’s, but I’m way too busy. So, I’m blogging my friends to let them know that this guy is a human douche bag!

Here’s the story as it appeared on AOL yesterday:

DULUTH, Minn. (Aug. 16) - Troy Lee Gentry, of the country singing duo Montgomery Gentry, has been accused of killing a tame black bear that federal officials say he tagged as killed in the wild.Gentry, 39, of Franklin, Tenn., and Lee Marvin Greenly, 46, of Sandstone, appeared Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond Erickson in connection with a sealed indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Minneapolis. Authorities allege that Gentry purchased the bear from Greenly, a wildlife photographer and hunting guide, then killed it with a bow and arrow in an enclosed pen on Greenly's property in October 2004. The government alleges that Gentry and Greenly tagged the bear with a Minnesota hunting license and registered the animal with the state Department of Natural Resources as a wild kill. Gentry allegedly paid about $4,650 for the bear, named Cubby. The bear's death was videotaped, and the tape later edited so Gentry appeared to shoot the animal in a "fair chase" hunting situation, the government alleges. If convicted, both Gentry and Greenly face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $20,000 fine. Gentry's manager, Johnny Dorris, said Wednesday that Gentry, an outdoorsman and hunter, expects to be exonerated. Gentry "relied on the knowledge and expertise of a local guide to obtain the proper permit," Dorris said in a written statement. "Troy felt what he did was legal and in full compliance of the law and was surprised to hear of the indictment." Greenly did not return a phone message seeking comment. Montgomery Gentry, along with co-singer Eddie Montgomery, are known for hits such as "My Town" and "If You Ever Stop Loving Me."And his newest hit, “Cubby’s Revenge.”

One thing I should say here is that Gentry is, of course, innocent until proven guilty. At least that’s supposed to be the way our justice system works. (I'm sure if he has enough $$ to get a high-priced lawyer, some judge will have mercy on him and I predict he'll get a suspended sentence and a small fine. If he was black and poor he'd get the full five years, no doubt!)